Allegations of federal character violations in government appointments have sparked renewed concerns in the Senate. Senator Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa West has called for an end to what he described as “flagrant breaches” of the constitutional principle, warning that such practices fuel division and weaken national unity.
While supporting a motion by Senator Sunday Ngwu from Enugu State, Dickson stressed the need for the Senate to investigate how government ministries and agencies implement federal character provisions. He warned that continuous disregard for these principles fosters disunity and reduces patriotism among Nigerians.
Dickson reminded the Senate that the nation’s founding fathers recognized Nigeria as a country of diverse nationalities, which necessitated the inclusion of federal character in the Constitution. He explained that the concept was designed to ensure inclusiveness and prevent any single ethnic, religious, or regional group from dominating federal appointments.
Highlighting the legal framework meant to uphold this principle, Dickson pointed to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal, which were established to hold violators accountable. However, he lamented that successive administrations have disregarded these provisions, favouring individuals from their states, local governments, or ethnic and religious backgrounds. He noted that this practice has fuelled disenchantment and weakened national loyalty.
To address these concerns, Dickson proposed that the Senate grant a committee between three to six months to investigate all federal ministries, agencies, and parastatals. He insisted that the investigation should include a breakdown of employees by state and local government to uncover any imbalances in recruitment.
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Using examples, he claimed that many oil-producing communities are underrepresented in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, despite their contributions to the economy. He also alleged that the Central Bank of Nigeria, the military, and security agencies engage in recruitment practices that favour specific regions, often creating an imbalance that weakens national institutions.
The senator further criticized federal agencies where employees predominantly share the same language and religion, describing such practices as unacceptable. He insisted that every state must have fair representation in government offices.
While supporting the Committee on Federal Character to lead the investigation, Dickson suggested co-opting members from states without representation on the committee to ensure a more effective probe. He also emphasized that the violations extend beyond ethnicity and religion, affecting state and local government levels.
Dickson urged the Senate to avoid turning the issue into a blame game, stating that leaders across different administrations have been guilty of these breaches. He proposed that the findings of the investigation be submitted to the President for necessary action.
Crediblenewsng.com
